There and Back again - Day Two

DAY TWO

So where were we? Oh right. Grants, New Mexico. Okay, so Grants is probably a great place and all. But we had expected to get well into Arizona on day one and we had a time crunch. The Project Book Babe event was at 2pm.

Just a side note:
I had planned for us to eat fast food no more than once per day. We brought a 13 gallon storage container packed with bread, peanut butter, chips, pretzels, dry cereal, foam bowls, plastic silverware and plastic cups. Also a small cooler for sodas and water bottles. Many hotels have complementary breakfast so we weren't overly concerned about breakfast but dry cereal is good for munching anyways. My thought was that if we didn't end up at a place without breakfast would just need to get a small container of milk. I tried to make sure we had either bottled or Colorado water in the cooler. We've been known to not do well with "foreign" water. Better safe than sorry.

So back to the trip. We headed on thru New Mexico. It's a very beautiful place. The desert is amazing. We had never seen anything like it. I found that I have quite a big case of Agoraphobia (a.k.a.- I panic in wide open spaces. lovely.) That became more and more evident throughout the rest of the trip.

So we drove stopping from time to time to see the sites (potty breaks). We saw Route 66 on several occasions and we also saw THE rock formations from the movie Cars. It felt like we were driving thru Radiator Springs.

Caption: The white stuff is snow.

So the next really note-worthy place we went to was Flagstaff, Arizona. You drive for hours and hours thru nothing but desert and suddenly you are in a evergreen forest. We saw log cabins. Flagstaff was beautiful. The weather was nice. It was a breath of fresh air after almost a year of being without trees. (We moved to Colorado from the southeast about a year ago. The lack of trees is something that we have yet to get over.) There are lots of hotels, restaurants, Starbucks, department stores just in case you forgot to bring a jacket. But we continued on to Phoenix.

The drive from Flagstaff to Phoenix was really picturesque. Our second born, Monkey, has been studying animal habitats at our homeschool science program and he got lots of photos of the desert. I've never really seen a cactus. But we saw thousands. He was pointing out that certain species of cactus grow an "arm" every 50 years. Some of them had several "arms". We were quite amazed by the height of them. At one roadside store the cactus that was standing next to the building had to be almost 20 feet tall. Amazing.

We finally got to Phoenix! Yippee! It's like an oasis. There are palm trees everywhere. Not like the ones you see in Florida. These were very lush and bright. The ones I've come across in Florida are usually not bright green. These were really pretty. Swimming pools everywhere. And these really bright red bushes. I have no idea what they were but I'm sure the proud natives would know. Anyways, we took a wrong turn and there was a bit of construction. So I got there a little late. But I got a really good seat at the event. Hubby and the kiddos explored the neighborhood near the school where the event was held and found a really nice park and playground. Which I think the kids probably really appreciated after the long ride.

Here's a photo from the Project Book Babe event:


Caption: That's Stephenie Meyer and Shannon Hale, 2 of my favorite authors.

So after the event was over and we had a nice early dinner we drove back up to Flagstaff. We found another affordable hotel. I wish I could remember the name of it. But the cost ($60) was about the same as day one. I know we filled up the tank before we left Phoenix but I'm not sure if we got gas earlier that day. I think we grabbed breakfast sandwiches when we got into Arizona and we had Arby's after the event. Also on a side note we were really worried about the time crunch until we stopped just inside Arizona and found that there is a time change? We had no idea that we would go through a time zone. So that helped with our trip.

We spent the night in Flagstaff, which DH discovered is less than 2 hours from the Grand Canyon. So can you see where this is going?

More tomorrow and the pics are worth the wait.

Guest Blogger: DH's point of view

The DH is guest blogging his POV. If that ain’t a mouthful, I don’t know what is!

Well, the first thing I can say about a long road trip is that the driving takes about 15% longer than you think it will. If it weren’t for an unexpected shift into Pacific Time Zone, we would have been late to our event in Phoenix! (Er…later than we were. You know what I mean.)

No kidding. The 15% thing holds so true that I’m going to plan in a 15% “Reality Tax” on all future estimations of how long trips will take – I’m going to include my trips from upstairs down to the basement just to prove it works!

As for the trip…the sights along the way were just incredible. I kept looking out the window and saying “Wow! Look at that that!” and then the kids would go “wow…” without actually looking because they knew I couldn’t turn around backward to see them. You know, I never had a GameBoy, or a DVD player in the car when I was a kid on long, forced road trips. I’m not complaining about my kids, I’m bemoaning how
many cool things hadn’t been invented yet for me!

After we survived a blizzard in New Mexico, made the trip to beautiful Phoenix and back to Flagstaff, we realized that were about 2 hours from the Grand Canyon and would be fools not to go. (I could retire to Flagstaff, actually. It’s a mountain paradise in the middle of the desert.)

The kids went crazy when they saw the Grand Canyon. It was certainly the most amazing thing they had ever seen. I could show you pictures and talk about it, but I knew even as I snapped photos that they just wouldn’t turn out right. This is why people keep going there I think. Otherwise, you’d just go “Yeah, I saw pictures. I’m good.”

(And here I have to say it: HOW DO YOU CHARGE 25 BUCKS A CAR TO SEE SOMETHING YOU DIDN’T MAKE???? It’s madness! I know, I know – there are roads and potties and fences, but don’t we pay taxes? OK, I won’t rant anymore.)

I found that I loved the desert. It’s like I had always dreamed of going there, but somehow I never really thought I would…like it was “someday” I would. We saw rolling grasslands and mesas heading south on I-25, but after we left the Grand Canyon we decided not to go back that way, but to turn to the north instead. And THAT was some real desert. I have never felt so relaxed and connected with the outdoors.

This amazing land is breathtaking in its stark beauty and its sheer size. It’s like being on the ocean, but it’s all grass and sand and stone. The only thing I regret about it is that we hit Monument Valley at night and it was more terrifying than beautiful! All you can see at night is strange dark shapes outlined by the starlight.
The last leg of the trip was back over the Rockies. If you haven’t been up in the mountains, just get ready to have your mind blown! It’s always fun to drive friends up from Denver and they want to stop and take photos. You have to keep telling them to save batteries and wait. As you go higher and higher the view becomes more incredible than before!

Last up, let me give a shout-out to Idaho Springs. Great little mountain town and you can go to BeaJo’s and TommyKnocker’s restaurants which are just down the street from one another. If you want a great big pizza or a buffalo hamburger, be sure to stop at one or the other.

There and Back again - Weekend in 4 states

My husband heard me. I talked about Project Book Babe for weeks. Stephenie Meyer and Shannon Hale, my two favorite authors, at the same event in Arizona. So DH came home on Thursday and said okay. This is a big deal because he use to cringe and the thought of a 5 hour drive to see my parents. Maybe it wasn't the drive. lol.


DAY ONE

So he left 2 hours early from work on Friday and we jumped in the minivan and headed south on I-25. Only 12.5 hours from Phoenix/Tempe. Coming out west has seriously brought out a part of our family we didn't know existed. Here's the map of our trip:



We never would have done this back east. The humidity would have killed us and our old minivan use to stall when we would get off an exit.

So I drove for the first 2.5 hours (the only driving I did the whole weekend). The winds thru southern Colorado were crazy but the temperature was fabulous. The closer we got to New Mexico we saw more and more of nothing. The desert started to sneak up on us and you could see forever in every direction. We still could see some of the Rockies. We got into New Mexico and I saw Santa Fe! I started singing Santa Fe from The Newsies. Love that movie.

All thru New Mexico the winds were crazy. It was really dark by this point but we wanted to try to get at least half way before we stopped for the night. We drove thru the dark for sometime and then we saw the most amazing light show. Albuquerque was an ocean of lights in the darkness. It was amazing and because it's so flat out there you could see the whole city. It was surreal. <--- (that word is gonna be used alot).

So about 40ish miles west of Albuquerque is a little town called Grants. We saw the exit. Tons of hotels and thought we could at least get to the Arizona border before we stopped for the night. The weather had different ideas. We got about 2 miles past the exit and the wind started blowing really hard. And something was blowing in the wind. What?!? Is that sand? NO! It's snow. That's right. We left Denver only to get stopped by a blizzard in the desert.

So we got off the next exit, the one with no hotels. And we waited for the snow to blow over. Nope. So we got back on the highway and very slowly with very little visibility drove (praying the whole way) about 5 miles back to Grants and got a hotel room for the night.

And that was day one. We started out in Denver (Southeast of Denver actually) on Friday and stopped in Grants, New Mexico at around midnight. We stayed at a Super 8 for about $62 taxes included. And we filled up the tank once that day.

When characters grow up. . . alternate title: The new Dora

Have you seen the new Dora? Here she is:



There has been quite the uproar, mostly from moms. I think she's cute. And while I think they probably have a point that she looks older. She only looks maybe 2-3 years older and she's dressed very nicely.

I didn't hear any uproar over the newly madeover Strawberry Shortcake:


Or even the newly made over Holly Hobby:



I don't know maybe it's just me but I think people are quick to freak out. I mean the kids aren't gonna really care that much. When my daughter walked in and saw the new Dora she squealed and said, "Ohhh, she's so pretty!"

I think we worry to much about these things. I mean I got a little concerned when they changed Sesame Street but I will admit it was because it's what I was use to. They didn't mess anything up. They just brought it out of the 70's. I think we need to ask ourselves what we are concerned about. Is it well founded concern or are they changing for a good reason.

I have to say there is a huge gap in the children's entertainment industry. I worry that there aren't enough of this age level edu-tainment out there. What shows do you know of for a girl who is no longer interested in yelling "Map" at the screen but she's not ready for High School Musical? Not a lot, I'd wager. Girls need good role models at every age. Not just at age 3 when they still like to help Dora find her way home.

I think the idea has potential. What do you think?

You gotta love these kids!

This first video is of Jonathan Krohn, 13 year old homeschooler. It's an excellent video and I'm going to go look for his book.




This video is of 12 year old giving the facts about abortion. Also, excellent. Not sure she's homeschooled but she could easily pass. lol.

The Simple Woman's Daybook- meme

FOR TODAY October 27, 2008...

Outside My Window is my brownish back yard, surrounded by a wood fence, set off by the lovely blue sky.

I am thinking about the check that's suppose to come in the mail today.

I am thankful for peace that passes all understanding. Especially, now, one week from Election day.

From the learning rooms my kids are playing games.

From the kitchen a pile of dishes sits and waits.

I am wearing comfy jeans, comfy tee and red polkadot slip on converse all-stars with no socks.

I am creating this meme entry.

I am going to check the mail again for the check and if it's here go to the bank.

I am reading Battlefield of the Mind by Joyce Meyers.

I am hoping John McCain wins the election.

I am hearing nothing. Which means the kids are up to something.

Around the house we are getting over a relaxed weekend at home.

One of my favorite things is calling up and old friend to say hi.

A Few Plans For The Rest Of The Week:  The kids have charter school on Tuesday and Thursday, we have PE on Wednesday, My honey-man and I have a datenight Thursday, Friday is always movie night here, Saturday is for World of Warcraft((blush)), Sunday is for church and friends.

Here is picture thought I am sharing...

Lost Party Photos

Okay, so I know you are all on edge waiting for this. Here's the photos from our Lost season finale party.

Here's what we did. . .

We stopped by our local dharma drop point and picked up some snacks. We had a little variety.


Banana chips. (Okay, so they looked yummy.)


A 6-pack of Dharma Initiative Root Beer.


They apparently got a BOGO on the Pork Rinds. (They were supposed to be Boar Rinds but I printed too soon. lol)


My baby brother Josh, sampling the Root beer.


My beloved enjoying one as well.


The table was set.


And that's all. There was another photo. It had me in it. Not a good photo. Sorry.

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I am a complete slacker. . .

Okay, not really. You know, you go your whole life not even knowing what a blog is and then you get one and you are bound to it. 

I actually have guilt about not blogging. How sad is that? 

Anyhoo.

I have some snazzy photos of our Lost party (which I will post soon). We actually did one. My brother happened to be here that night and so we went to our local Dharma drop point and got some Lostie snacks. It was cheezy, I must admit, but it was tons of fun.

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Guess that flick

Okay, I got this idea from OhAmanda. It's really fun and I did pretty well with hers so I thought I'd give it a try.

Here are the rules:

1. Pick 10 of your favorite movies.
2. Go to IMDb and find a quote from each movie.
3. Post them for everyone to guess.
4. Strike it out when someone guesses correctly, and put who guessed it and the movie.
5. No Googling or IMDb-ing. That’s cheating and that’s no fun.

Have fun with it and if you decide to participate leave your link.
Here are my quotes:

1. Yes you're very smart. Shut up. - The Princess Bride- Great job Wendy.

2. That's because of your Captain Hook complex. - One Fine Day: starring George Clooney and Michelle Pfiffer.

3. I know he can get the job but can he DO the job? I'm NOT arguing that with you. - Joe vs. The Volcano: starring Tom Hanks and Meg Ryan.

4. I see in your eyes the same fear that would take the heart of me. A day may come when the courage of men fails, when we forsake our friends and break all bonds of fellowship, but it is not this day. -Return of the King- Wendy

5. Forgive me if I get a little emotional, but this is the day every mother dreams of. The day she watches her only daughter put a lock on her bedroom door, to keep her husband out. - Laws of Attraction: starring Pierce Brosnan and Julianne Moore.

6. It never rained on the night of a Larrabee party, the Larrabees wouldn't have stood for it. - Sabrina: starring Harrison Ford and Julia Ormond

7. There were no F names in the Bible so Ma named him Frankincense because he smelled so sweet. - Seven Brides for Seven Brothers

8. You're late. When you asked me if I was doing anything later, I didn't realize you'd actually forgotten. I thought it was playful banter. -The Incredibles- Great job to tara

9. I'll never understand what possessed my mother to put her faith in God's hands, rather than her local geneticist. - Gattaca - Way to be Josh(My "Little" Brother)

10. Yeah, yeah. I would've asked for your number. And I wouldn't have been able to wait 24 hours before calling you up and saying, Hey, how about... oh, how about some coffee, or drinks, or dinner, or a movie... for as long as we both shall live? - You've Got Mail

So, how did you do? Did you guess them?

Updated: I'm a movie fanatic but I guess I didn't realize how big of one till doing this. This was so much fun I'm gonna do it again sometime. Thanks for all the guesses.

He's always on time. . .

I haven't written in a while. Like that's anything new. lol.

But I want to share what has been going on with us lately. My husband has worked for the same church for almost 9 years. He's a great employee and everyone who knows him says he's way too underpaid. They fired his assistant about two months ago and they still expect him to keep things going as if there were still 2 people doing the work.

Ridiculous, right?

Well as if that's not enough. For the past 9 years, he's been working every Sunday. Which means we don't go to church together. And let me tell you that as 2 pastors kids we know that's not okay. It's really started to get harder cause the kids and I have been going to a new church that's awesome.

So anyways, today my husband was going in to give his notice. No, we didn't have a job to go to. Crazy? Yup. But we felt that this was the right decision. But when he got there he couldn't get a word in. Every time he opened his mouth someone interrupted him. Which is funny to me cause my husband loves to talk. And the fact that he couldn't get a word in is ironic.

So he gave up and came home thinking to go in tomorrow and tell them that he's leaving. Still having no idea what we would be doing after he leaves. So he comes home takes a nap and gets to work on some business stuff. When out of the blue, the phone rings. . .it's our friend from Colorado and he offers my husband a job! What???

It's almost 2x what he makes now and it's working with one of my husbands best friends! And here's the other thing. We might not have to move. It might be a e-commute deal. We'd only have to go out there 5x per year. How awesome is that? Just when we think that we can't take it anymore God shows us the way.


So anyways, I thought I'd let you know what craziness has been going down here in my house.